The CREATE strategy benefits students and is a natural fit for faculty: Analysis of scientific literature using the CREATE approach allows students to learn microbiology while involving them with the process of science

Students taught in traditional ways tend to have difficulty understanding or applying key scientific concepts, and retain misconceptions about important ideas in biology. The "consider, read, elucidate hypotheses, analyze and interpret the data, think of the next experiment" (CREATE) approach to teaching microbiology builds on the deep understanding faculty members have for the research process. In following this approach, students prepare for class using tools that consolidate their knowledge of key scientific concepts and how to design studies. This approach encourages faculty members to guide students into examining how studies were carried out and what data mean in a lab-meetinglike atmosphere.